Method of fabricating a building frame structure

ABSTRACT

A column/beam, beam/beam interconnection in a building frame method. The interconnection of the method of the invention features (a) a pair of parallel-spaced, upright, planar plate components operatively associated with either a side of a column or a side of a beam, (b) an elongate, generally horizontal beam including a generally upright, planar central web with an end which, with respect to a pair of such plate components, extends into the space which exists between those components, and (c) a structural relationship in such a building frame associated with the plate components in a pair, which relationship accommodates (a) vertical-motion placement of a web end between components, with (b) the automatic establishment thereby of a correct relative, spatial, three-dimensional relationship and disposition of the plate components in the frame, and of the specific, associated column/beam and/or beam/beam elements so interconnected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation U.S. patent application, Ser. No.10/102,404, filed Mar. 18, 2002, for Building Frame Structure, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,802,169 B2, granted Oct. 12, 2004, and a division of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/961,886, filed Oct. 9, 2004, for BuildingFrame Structure. The entire contents of that prior application arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to building frame structure, and moreparticularly to unique column, beam, cross-bracing and interconnectstructures employable in such structure. A preferred embodiment of theinvention, and a manner of practicing it, as well as several illustratedmodifications, are shown and described herein.

Proposed, among other things, according to the invention is a new,elongate column structure which is formed from an assembly of plural,elongate, angle-iron-like components that are united by bolting themtogether through interposed spacers which help to define the finalconfiguration of the column. In a preferred column embodiment of theinvention, four such angle-iron-like components are employed, with eachof these taking the form, generally, of an elongate, right-angle,angle-iron section of otherwise conventional construction, and withcross-like spacers (one or more) interposed and holding these componentsapart. These four elongate components are arranged in such a fashionthat their legs, also referred to herein as spaced, parallel planarplate components, essentially radiate in a star-like manner from thelong axis of the assembled column. Each leg in each angle-iron-likecomponent confrontingly faces one other leg in one adjacent suchcomponent.

These spaced, confronting, parallel planar legs, or plate components,play an important role as anchor points in the practice and use of thepresent invention. For example, and as will be seen from a review of thedrawings herein, these plate components enable the specially preparedends of beams (extending central web portions of beams) to be insertedfor attachment to columns in a manner which permits straight downwardbeam lowering (under the influence of gravity) without requiring aforced lateral separation or splaying of otherwise prepositioned,properly laterally spaced, substantially vertical columns to accommodatethis activity. Hooks formed in the undersides of such extending beam-endweb portions catch pre-installed cross-bolts, or cross-pins, which spana pair of spaced, confronting plate components, and such catchingresults in automatic establishment of a proper relative spatialrelationship between the thus preliminarily interconnectedbuilding-frame elements.

The angle-iron-like components and the spacer, or spacers, arenut-and-bolt connected to create a frictional interface between theseelements. Depending upon the tightness employed in such connections, thelevel of frictional engagement can be adjusted. The assembledcombination of angle-iron-like components and spacers forms a generallycross-shaped (transverse cross section) column assembly. Each columnassembly is also referred to herein as a column structure, and as acolumn.

Given this type of column assembly, it will be apparent that there arespaces or recesses provided in the regions between confronting legs(plate components) in an assembled column. In a building framestructure, and still referring to a preferred form of the invention,these recesses are employed, as was just generally outlined above, toreceive modified and inserted end regions (or extensions) of the centralwebs in elongate I-beams. These same recesses also receive the ends ofcross-braces which, in a preferred embodiment, each take the form offlat metal bar stock. The end-modified I-beams result from removal ofshort portions of their upper and lower flanges to create central-webextensions. Bolt holes, or openings, that are provided appropriately inthe flanges in the angle-iron-like components in a column, and as wellas in the end central-web extensions in a beam, are employed withnut-and-bolt cross-assemblies to complete an anchored connection betweena column and a beam. In such a column/beam assembly, the column and beamdirectly engage one another through a frictional interface wherein thelevel of frictional engagement is nut-and-bolt adjustable.

With respect to such a column/beam interconnection, and providing now afurther elaboration, the lower-most opening provided in an I-beam'sweb-end projection takes the form of an open-bottomed hook which, duringquick, preliminary assembly of a frame structure, extends into the open,or recessed, region between flanges in a column. Under the influence ofgravity, the downwardly exposed and facing hook catches and seats onto apreliminarily entered nut-and-bolt assembly, wherein the bolt's shankextends across and spans the space between a pair of flanges to act as acatch on which this hook can seat and become gravity-set. Such seatingquickly introduces preliminary stabilization in a frame being assembled,and (as already mentioned) also acts to index the proper relativepositions of columns and beams.

With this construction, and as can be seen in the drawings, an I-beam,importantly, can be lowered straight down under the influence of gravityinto a proper seated position in a building frame. When so lowered, andas will also be seen seating of a beam in place produces precision andcorrect spatial alignment of the beam and of the frame components (platecomponents, columns and other beams) to which it is attached. This is animportant feature of the present invention.

Following seating of a beam in a condition where, as will be seen fromdescription provided later herein, a downwardly facing hook-like slot inthe end of a beam web freely receives the shank of a cross-bolt (of anut-and-bolt assembly) which has been attached to, and which spans, thetwo spaced plate components in a pair of these components, another crossnut-and-bolt assembly is installed to anchor the beam end in place.

As will further be seen, the invention features both column/beam(outlined above) and beam/beam interconnections. In a beam/beaminterconnection, the side of the central web in a beam is equipped withan attached pair of spaced, upright, parallel-planar plate componentswhich extend laterally outwardly from the associated central webintermediate the opposite ends of the beam. The prepared end of thecentral web in a beam is seated between such laterally extending platecomponents to establish an orthogonal relationship between two,thus-interconnected beams. Vertical, or straight-down, lowering of abeam with its prepared ends to interconnect, say, two spaced, parallel,horizontal beams which are already connected to columns can beaccomplished without there being any requirement for forced lateralseparating of the two spaced, parallel beams in order to accommodatesuch a “cross-attachment” of another beam.

Modifications to the preferred form of the invention are recognized, andare possible in certain applications. For example, columns might beformed with three rather than four elongate components. With respect toa column having just three such components, the included angles betweenlegs in these elements, progressing circularly about the column's longaxis, might be 120°-120°-120°, 135°-135°-90°, or 180°-90°-90°.Illustrations of these arrangements, which are not exhaustive, areillustrated herein.

Another modification area involves the configuration and structure of across-brace. Such a configuration could, for example, take the form of aright-angle angle iron, of a tubular element, or of a welded assembly ofa flat plate and an angle iron. Illustrations of theses configurationswhile not exhaustive, are also provided herein.

While different lengths of component-assembled columns can be made inaccordance with the invention, such lengths being principally a matterof designer choice, two different column lengths are specifically shownand discussed herein. The principal one of these lengths characterizes acolumn having a length which is basically the height-dimension of twotypical stories in a multi-story building. The other lengthcharacterizes a column having a length of approximately of one suchstory height. The individual columns are stacked end-for-end to createelongate upright column stacks that define an overall building-frameheight.

According to one interesting feature of the invention, where two stackedcolumns abut end-to-end, this abutment exists essentially at thelocation of one of the floor heights intended in the final building. Atthis location, and according to a special feature of the presentinvention, a direct structural splice is created between suchend-contacting, stacked columns, such a splice being established throughthe nut-and-bolt connected end extension of the central web in a beam.Thus, structural connections between beams and columns act, according tothe invention, as connective splices or joints between adjacent, stackedcolumns. The amount of tightness introduced into the splice-relatednut-and-bolt assemblies controls the level of frictional engagementpresent there between beam and column.

Another interesting feature of the invention involves a unique way forintroducing vertical-plane cross-bracing in various upright rectanglesof space that are spanned by a pair of vertically spaced beams, and by apair of horizontally spaced columns. While different specific componentscan be used to act as cross-bracing structure, one form that isparticularly useful, and which is illustrated herein, is that ofconventional steel flat bar stock which crosses, and thus braces, such aspace. Opposite ends of such bar stock are bolted in place in therecesses between confronting flanges of the angle-iron-like componentsin the columns.

As will become apparent from the description in detail which followsbelow, taken along with the accompanying drawings, forces which areexerted and transmitted between columns and beams in a buildingstructure formed in accordance with the present invention lie in uprightplanes which pass through the central longitudinal axes of the columnsand beams. Accordingly, load management is, as is most desired, directedessentially centrally between adjacent connected components. Forcestransmitted through cross-bracing elements also essentially lie in thesesame planes.

The nut-and-bolt, frictional-interface connections proposed by theinvention for the regions of interconnection between elongate columncomponents and spacers, and between beams and columns, allow for limitedrelative sliding motions between these elements under certainload-handling circumstances. Such motions enhance the load-managementcapabilities of a building frame structure, and furnish a certainhelpful amount of energy dissipation in the form of non-damaging heat.

The detailed description of the invention now given below will clearlybring out these special offerings and advantages of the several facetsof the present invention.

One further arrangement proposed by the present invention involves across-beam connection between mid-regions of laterally next-adjacenthorizontal beams. Through-bore brackets bolted to and through thecentral webs of adjacent beams, and having some of the same features ofthe flange end regions in columns where splices can be made, allow forinstallation of elongate cross-beams which extend from beam-to-beam inlocations that are intermediate a pair of columns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, stick-figure drawing illustrating portions of abuilding frame structure which has been constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper-end, fragmentary view of one column which isconstructed in accordance with the present invention, and which isemployed in the building frame structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top axial view of the same column pictured fragmentarily inFIG. 2.

FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, inclusive, illustrate, in isolated manners, theassembled structure of a column spacer which is employed in the columnof FIGS. 2 and 3, and of the individual components which make up thisspacer.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a specifically configuredI-beam which is employed according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a specifically configuredchannel beam which also may be employed according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary drawing illustrating interconnections whichexist between stacked columns and beams in the frame structure of FIG.1, and between columns and diagonal cross-bracing.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail illustrating a preliminary step in theassembly and splice-joining of a beam and a pair of stacked columns.

FIG. 10 is a larger-scale view illustrating, isometrically, roughly thesame thing which is pictured in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a completed bridging splicing connectionbetween two beams and a pair of stacked columns.

FIG. 12 is a view taken generally along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 presents a view which is very similar to that presented in FIG.9, except that here what is shown is the interconnection between a beamand a column at a location vertically intermediate the ends of thecolumn.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a base-plate structure which is employed atthe lower ends of column stacks present in the building frame structureof FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary schematic view, somewhat like the viewpresented in FIG. 2, illustrating a feature of the invention whichinvolves the capability of angle-iron-like components in a column toshift independently and longitudinally relative to one another, and alsorelative to a spacer (not shown) in this column.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views which compare how a conventional rectangulartube-shaped column, and a cross-shaped column constructed in accordancewith the present invention, differently accommodate the attachmentsthereto of internal wall structure in a building.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are somewhat like FIG. 3, except that here what areshown are two different modified forms of an assembled, star-likecross-section column built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates fragmentarily an end of a cross-beam connection.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate two different cross-sectional versions ofmodified forms of columns constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 23-25, inclusive, illustrate modified forms of cross-braces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning attention now to the drawings, and referring first of all toFIGS. 1-5B, inclusive, indicated generally at 21 in FIG. 1 is afragmentary portion of a multi-story building frame structure which hasbeen constructed in accordance with the present invention. In framestructure 21, four column stacks 22, 24, 26, 28 are shown, each of whichis made up of a plurality of end-two-end, splice-joined elongate columnsthat are constructed in accordance with the present invention. Thephrase “column stack” is employed herein to refer to such plural,end-connected columns, and the word “column” is employed herein todesignate a single column assembly which has been built in accordancewith the invention. In order to illustrate one characteristicversatility which is furnished by the invention, two different types ofcolumns—double-story and single-story—are shown in these column stacks.

Three columns in stack 22 are shown at 30, 32, 34. As will shortly bemore fully explained, the upper end 32 a of column 32 is joined to thelower end of column 30, and the lower end 32 b of column 32 is joined tothe upper end of column 34. Columns 30 (shown only fragmentarily) and 32are two-story columns (see length L), and column 34 is a single-storycolumn herein (see length 1). One more column is specifically labeled at35 in FIG. 1. This column is essentially the same in construction ascolumn 32.

Extending between and joined to the columns in the several column stackspictured in FIG. 1 are plural, horizontal beams, such as the three beamsshown at 36, 38, 40. The distances between next-adjacent ones of thesethree beams are the same, and have the spacing of one story-height inframe structure 21. Beam 36 has its near end in FIG. 1 splice-connected(still to be explained) to column stack 22 at the region of end-to-endjoinder between columns 30, 32. Beam 38 has its near end in FIG. 1connected vertically centrally between the opposite (upper and lower)ends of column 32. Beam 40 has its near end in FIG. 1 connected to theregion of end-to-end joinder between columns 32, 34. As will soon beexplained, the manners in which the just-mentioned ends of beams 36, 40are connected to columns in column stack 22 is somewhat different fromthe manner in which the near end of beam 38 in FIG. 1 is connectedcentrally between the upper and lower ends of column 32.

Presented in FIG. 1, as can be seen, are plural, large, black dots.These dots represent the locations of spacers, or spacer structures,which form parts in the various columns that are employed in framestructure 21. For example, shown at 42, 44 in FIG. 1 are two black dots(spacers) which form part of column 32. These two dots indicate thepresence of spacers within column 32 at locations in structure 21 whichare roughly midway between floors. Thus, dot 42 represents a spacerwhich is present in column 32 generally vertically centrally betweenbeams 36, 38. Dot 44, and the spacer which it represents in column 32,resides generally vertically centrally between beams 38, 40. A black dot45 represents a spacer which is present in single-story column 34,generally vertically centrally between the upper and lower ends ofcolumn 34. Clear, or open, circular dots in FIG. 1 represent theend-to-end connections between vertically adjacent columns in therespective column stacks.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate somewhat more specifically the structure ofcolumn 32, and thus also, the structures of many other ones of thevarious columns employed in the column stacks pictured in FIG. 1. Column32 herein is formed with four, elongate, angle-iron-like components 46,48, 50, 52. These angle-iron-like components substantially parallel oneanother, and also parallel the central long axis 32 c of column 32. Eachof components 46, 48, 50, 52 has a right-angular cross-section formed byangularly intersecting legs, such as legs 46 a, 46 b in component 46.These legs meet at an elongate, linear corner, such as corner 46 c.Corner 46 c lies closely adjacent, and substantially parallel to, axis32 c. These legs are also referred to herein as spaced, parallel-planarplate components, and the space between them is referred to herein as avertically accessible, open-topped, beam-web receiving zone.

As can be seen, column 32 has a generally cross-shaped transversecross-sectional configuration, formed in such a fashion that the legs inthe angle-iron-like components essentially radiate laterally outwardly(star-like) from axis 32 c. Each leg in each angle-iron-like componentis spaced from, confrontive with, and generally parallel to one leg in anext-adjacent angle-iron-like component.

As seen in FIG. 2, the upper end region 32 a in column 32 is furnishedwith aligned through-bores, such as through-bores 54 which are providedin flange 46 b. As will soon be explained, these through-bores areemployed for the attachment of beams, such as beam 36, and for splicingjoinder to the underside of an overhead beam, such as beam 30.Accordingly, through-bores 54 are also referred to herein assplice-accommodating structure.

Provided at the locations of previously mentioned black dots 42, 44 inFIG. 1 are cross-shaped, two-component spacers, such as spacer 42 whichis variously shown in FIGS. 3-5B, inclusive. Spacer 42 is formed fromtwo like-configured components, one of which is shown isolated at 42 ain FIG. 5A, and other of which is shown isolated at 42 b in FIG. 5B.These spacer components are centrally notched so that they can be fittogether as shown in FIG. 4, and the outward extensions of components 42a, 42 b are provided with through-bores, such as bores 56 shown incomponent 42.

Spacer 42 is placed generally longitudinally centrally between beams 36,38, and between the confronting legs of column components 46, 48, 50,52. It is bolted there in place through appropriate nut-and-boltassemblies, such as the assembly shown at 58 in FIG. 3, and throughsuitable accommodating through-bores (not shown) provided in the legs incomponents 46, 48, 50, 52. Spacer 44 is similarly positioned in column32 vertically centrally between beams 38, 40. When in place, the spacersspace apart the angle-iron-like components in the column with what canbe thought of as the centerlines of these spacers aligned withpreviously mentioned column axis 32 c. Preferably, the thickness of eachof components 42 a, 42 b is about equal to the thickness of the centralweb portions of the beams which are employed in the building framestructure of FIG. 1.

In each column, the angle-iron-like components, the spacer, or spacerswhich hold these apart, and the nut-and-bolt assemblies (and relatedthrough-bores) which bind all together, are toleranced in such a manner,that there is present in the region associated with each spacer afriction interface. This interface can allow for a certain small amountof relative longitudinal motion (along the long axes of the columns)between these elements. The amount of tightness introduced into thenut-and-bolt assemblies dictates the level of frictional engagement,which is thus selectable and adjustable. The significance of thisfeature of the invention will be more fully discussed shortly.

An assembled column, like column 32, thus takes the form of an assemblyof four, right-angle, angle-iron-like components disposed as describedand illustrated relative to one another, and held together throughnut-and-bolt assemblies which clamp the angle-iron-like components ontothe spacers, such as spacers 42, 44. A consequence of this constructionis that there are openings or recesses laterally outwardly facing alongthe length of column 32, defined, in part, by the spacings which existbetween the confronting legs in the angle-iron-like components.

These recesses are employed herein to receive, as will below bedescribed, the inserted extending end portions of the central webs inbeams, such as beams 36, 38, 40.

Digressing for just a moment to FIG. 15, here, angle-iron-likecomponents 46, 48, 50, 52 are represented fragmentarily as spacedelements. In FIG. 15, dashed lines 60, and a dashed arrow 62, showangle-iron-like component 48 slightly upwardly shifted from its solidoutline position relative to the other three angle-iron-like components46, 50, 52. Similarly, dash-double-dot lines 64, and dash-double-dotarrow 66, illustrate upward shifting of angle-iron-like component 50relative to components 46, 48, 52. These moved positions for components48, 50 are highly exaggerated in FIG. 15. This has been done to pointout clearly a feature of the invention (mentioned earlier) which is thatthe tolerances that are built into the fastening regions between theseangle-iron-like components and the spacers is such that, under severeloading conditions which produce bending of column 32, theangle-iron-like components therein can actually shift slightly relativeto one another so as to act somewhat as independent elements. Suchshifting also creates frictional, energy-dissipating braking action inthe regions where these elements contact one another. This capability ofa column built in accordance with the present invention offers a columnwhich can act as a heat energy dissipater to absorb shock loads to abuilding frame.

Turning attention to now to FIGS. 6, 7, 18 and 19, and beginning withFIGS. 6, here there is shown fragmentarily at 36 an end region ofpreviously mentioned beam 36. Beam 36 includes a central web 36 a, andupper and lower flanges 36 b, 36 c, respectively. As can be seen, shortportions of the end regions of flanges 36 b, 36 c, have been removed tocreate and expose what is referred herein as an extension 36 d in andfrom central web 36 a.

Provided in extension 36 d are three vertically spaced through-bores 36e, and a downwardly facing through-bore-like hook 36 f. How thismodified form of an otherwise conventional I-beam functions in thesetting of the present invention will be described shortly.

FIG. 7 illustrates at 68 an alternative beam construction contemplatedfor use in and with respect to the present invention. Beam 68 has beenformed from an otherwise conventional channel member having a centralweb 68 a, and upper and lower flanges 68 b, 68 c, respectively. Endportions of the upper and lower flanges have been removed as shown tocreate and expose an extension 68 d from central web 68 a. Extension 68d, like previously mentioned beam extension 36 d in FIG. 6, includesthree through-bores 68 e, and a through-bore-like hook 68 f. It willbecome very apparent shortly, without further direct discussion, howchannel beam 68 can be used alternately with I-beam structure 36.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate modified forms of star-like-cross-sectioncolumn construction contemplated by the present invention. In FIG. 18there is shown a column 70 which has a kind of three-sided configurationformed by angle-iron-like components 72, 74, 76. Components 72, 74, 76include paired, angularly intersecting, elongate legs, such as legs 72a, 72 b, which meet at an elongate linear corner, such as corner 72 cthat substantially parallels and is slightly spaced from the long axis70 a of column 70. In the particular configuration shown in FIG. 18, theincluded angle in each of the three angle-iron-like components betweenthe paired legs therein is about 120-degrees.

Suitable spacer structures, like that shown at 78, act betweencomponents 72, 74, 76 in column 70 in much the same manner that aspacer, like spacer 42, acts between column components, such ascomponents 46, 48, 50, 52 previously discussed. Joinder between spacerstructures and angle-iron-like components is also similar to thatpreviously described with respect to column 32.

In FIG. 19, there is shown generally at 80 yet another column structurewhich has a kind of three-way configuration somewhat like that picturedfor column 70 in FIG. 18. In order to simplify matters herein, the sameset of reference numerals employed for the several components picturedin FIG. 18 for column 70 are also employed in similar locations and forsimilar components in column 80 in FIG. 19. The principal differencebetween column 80 and column 70 is that, in column 80, the angularlyintersecting legs in two of the angle-iron-like components possess anincluded angle of about 135-degrees, and the third angle-iron-likecomponent has legs possessing an included angle of about 90-degrees.

Shifting attention now to FIGS. 8-12, inclusive, FIG. 8 illustrates, inmuch greater detail, that region within building structure 21 whichincludes columns 30, 32 and beams 36, 38. In this figure, the columnsand beams shown are fully assembled with respect to one another, withend region 36 d in beam 36 generating an end-two-end splice between theadjacent ends of columns 30, 32, and with the end region in beam 38joined through nut-and-bolt assemblies to a region in column 32 which isgenerally longitudinally centrally between its opposite ends. One shouldrecall that column 32 has a length which essentially spans the dimensionof two stories in frame structure 21. As can generally be seen in FIG.8, a nut-and-bolt pattern which involves four nut-and-bolt assemblies isemployed at the region of joinder between columns 30, 32 and beam 36. Inthe region of joinder between column 32 and beam 38, where no spliceoccurs between columns, the end of beam 36 is attached to legs in columncomponents 46, 48 also utilizing a four nut-and-bolt pattern ofnut-and-bolt assemblies. Thus, the attached end region in beam 36includes three through-bores and a downwardly facing hook. Similarly theend region in beam 38 includes three through-bores and also a downwardlyfacing hook.

Also pictured in FIG. 8 is cross-bracing structure including a pair ofbar-stock-configured cross-braces 82, 84. These two cross-braces spanthe rectangular area which is bounded by beams 36, 38, and by columns32, 35. The ends of the cross braces extend through and between thespaces/recesses provided between the legs in the angle-iron-likecomponents, and are suitably anchored there as by nut-and-boltassemblies generally located at the regions in FIG. 8 shown at 86, 88.Cross-braces 82, 84 essentially lie in a common plane shared with thelong axes of beam 36, 38, as well as with the long axis of column 32.

FIG. 9 illustrates the conditions of various components just prior tointerconnection of beam 36 with columns 30, 32. In solid lines in FIG. 9the upper end of column 32 is prepared preliminarily with the presenceof a nut-and-bolt assembly 90 wherein the shank (also referred to as aspanning device) of the bolt extends through the lower-most ones of thethrough-bores provided in angle-iron-like components 46, 48, thusspanning completely between these two components. Column 30 does not yetoccupy its solid outline position in FIG. 9, but rather may be poisedand spaced upwardly in the dash-dot outline position pictured in FIG. 9.

The end of beam 36 which includes central-web extension 36 d is advancedtoward the recess between angle-iron-like components 46, 48, and,according to one manner of placement, or seating, is introduced bygravity into proper position as illustrated by curved arrow 92. Thisinvolves insertion of extension 36 d between components 46, 48, andhooking, employing gravity, hook 36 f onto the shank of the bolt innut-and-bolt assembly 90.

According to another manner of placement, beam 36 can be lowered underthe influence of gravity straight down into place as indicated by arrow91. It will be understood that the “arrow-91” manner of beam seating,with both ends of beam 36 prepared with the configuration illustrated inFIG. 9 for one end of this beam, will cause both ends of the beam toseat substantially simultaneously in place. When a beam becomes seatedin either of the ways just described, such seating effectively resultsin the specific interconnected beam and column components coming intocorrect, precision spatial disposition in a building frame.

Beam 36 is then oriented so that its long axis is substantiallyorthogonal with respect to the long axis of column 32, and column 30 islowered toward and into its solid outline position in FIG. 9. When thishas taken place, appropriate line-up occurs between the through-boresprovided in beam extension 36 d, in the upper end of column 32, and inthe lower end of column 30, so as to permit the insertion and tighteningof nut-and-bolt assemblies with respect to the other illustratedthrough-bores.

This results in a completed assembly between columns 30, 32 and beam 36in a condition where web extension 36 d in beam 36 creates a splicebetween the adjacent ends of columns 30, 32. This condition is clearlyshown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 10 is also helpful in illustrating thiscondition, with this figure picturing the conditions of components justbefore lowering of overhead column 30 downwardly onto the upper end ofcolumn 32. The various nut-and-bolt assemblies so employed to create asplicing interconnection between beam 36 and columns 30, 32 areappropriately tightened to establish the desired level of frictionalinterengagement which exists directly between the confronting surfacesof beam 36 and columns 30, 32.

FIG. 13, which is similar to FIG. 9, illustrates somewhat the sameprocesses of interconnection which may take place between beam 38 andthe vertical mid-region of column 32. An arrow 93 in FIG. 13 shows this.Curved-motion interconnection is shown by a curved arrow 95 (which islike curved arrow 92 in FIG. 9). Straight down vertical seating is shownby an arrow 93.

Completing now a description of things shown in the various drawingfigures, FIG. 14 pictures at 94 a base-plate structure which is employedin frame structure 21 adjacent the bases of the different column stacks,such as column stack 22. These base-plate structures effectively tie thestacks to the foundation (not specifically shown). Base-plate structure94 includes a generally horizontal plate 96, on the upper surface ofwhich there is welded a cross-structure 98. This cross-structure isessentially a replica of a spacer structure like that described forspacer 42. The cross-structure receives the lower end of the lower-mostcolumn in stack 22, with the confronting spaced legs of that column, atits lower end, receiving the cross-structure. Appropriate nut-and-boltassemblies (not shown) anchor things in place at this base-platestructure.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate very schematically yet another facet of thepresent invention. Specifically what is shown in a comparative manner inthese two figures is the difference which exists with respect to walls(having a thickness W) brought together at a corner within a buildingunder circumstances with a conventional rectangular tube-like column(FIG. 16) employed, and with a cross-shaped column (FIG. 17) provided inaccordance with the present invention.

In FIG. 16, a conventional, hollow, rectangular, square-cross-sectioncolumn 100 is pictured along with four interior walls structures 102,104, 106, 108. What one will here notice is that, if wall structureshaving generally the wall thicknesses pictured in FIG. 17 are employed,the corners of column 100 protrude and are exposed. In order not to havethese corners protrude, the wall thicknesses would have to be larger,and larger wall thicknesses translates into lesser usable floor space ina finished building.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, where the cross-sectional transverseperimeter outline of column 32 is illustrated, these same wallstructures 102, 104, 106, 108 come together in a manner where thecorners are not broken by the protrusion of any part of column 32.

In FIG. 20 a cross-beam (beam/beam) connection (one end only, thoughboth are simultaneously involved) is illustrated fragmentarily between apair of orthogonally related beams 110, 112 which may form a part of theframe structure pictured at 21 in FIG. 1. Very specifically, alongitudinal central region in beam 110 has attached (by bolting) toopposite sides of its central web 110 a two pairs of right-anglebrackets (or parallel-planar, spaced plate components), such as the paircontaining brackets 114, 116. Brackets 114, 116 include spaced, parallelconfronting legs 114 a, 116 a, respectively, which are spaced apart (inthe illustration now being described) with essentially the same spacingprovided for the legs in previously discussed angle-iron-like components46, 48, 50, 52.

A four through-bore pattern, including bores such as the two shown at118, is provided in legs 114 a, 116 a. A nut-and-bolt assembly 120 isfitted into the lower-most opposing through-bores, with the shank of thebolt spanning the space between legs 114 a, 116 a.

The fragmentally visible but yet unattached, end of beam 112 is preparedwith a matchingly through-bore central web extension 112 a, wherein thelower-most through-bore is actually a hook 112 b which is likepreviously mentioned hook 36 f. Full attachment of beams 110,112 isaccomplished in somewhat the same manner described above for column-beamattachment (see vertical arrow 122 in FIG. 20).

FIG. 21 illustrates the cross section of a modified column 130 which,for elongate components, includes a flat plate 132, and two right-angleangle-iron-like elements 134,136. One spacer structure associated withthese elements is shown at 138.

FIG. 22 illustrates at 140 another modified-cross-section columnincluding a channel member 142, and two right-angle angle-iron-likecomponents 144,146. A spacer for these components is shown at 148.

FIG. 23 shows a modified cross-brace construction 150 which is made upof the welded combination of a flat plate 152 and an angle iron 154.

FIG. 24 shows at 156 another modified form of a cross-brace, which heretakes the shape of a conventional right-angle angle iron.

FIG. 25 shows at 158 still another modified cross-brace form which has arectilinear, tubular configuration.

The special features of the present invention are thus fully illustratedand described. The column and beam components of the present invention,which can readily be created using standard structural cross sections,allow for extremely easy, intuitive and unfailingly accurate on-siteassembly and construction. Vertical gravity assembly of componentscauses these components to become properly spatially disposed. Properspatial disposition is also described herein as resulting in a correct,relative, spatial, three-dimensional disposition of the mentioned pairsof spaced plate components. Nut-and-bolt interconnectors, which areessentially all that are required fully to assemble a building framefrom these components, establish all necessary connections and jointswithout welding. The bolt shanks which engage the hooks formed inbeam-end webs each create what can be thought of as an initialgravity-locked interconnect between a beam end and the other connectedframe element. When a second, overhead bolt in a nut-and-bolt assemblyis introduced, a moment connection in the plane of a beam web isestablished. Regions of joinder between columns and beams are promotedwhere end portions of beams create load-managing splices betweenvertically stacked, adjacent columns. Similar connections exist frombeam-to-beam. Plural-element assembled columns, in various differentproducible configurations, present distinctly smaller gravitationalfootprints than do comparable gravitational load-capacity tubularcolumns. Interconnected columns, beams and cross-braces deliver andhandle loads essentially in common upright planes containing theirrespective longitudinal axes. Relative motion, energy dissipating,frictional interconnections exist (a) within columns, (b) betweencolumns, beams and cross-braces, and (c) from beam-to-beam to offerappropriate and forgiving responses to severe loads delivered to abuilding.

In terms of methodology offered by the present invention, thatmethodology can be expressed as a method of installing an elongate beambetween a pair of nominally in-place, previously installedbuilding-frame elements which, before such beam installing, are spacedapart by a substantially correct lateral distance, and where the beamincludes a generally planar, upright central web, with this methodincluding (A) establishing for each of such two spaced elements a joinedanchor point in the form of (a) a pair of spaced, substantiallyparallel-planar plate components which are spaced apart in a mannercreating an upright, generally planar, straight-down verticallyaccessible, open-topped beam-web receiving zone having a lateral widthwhich is suitable for freely receiving the thickness of such a beam'scentral web, and (b) a spanning device extending between such platecomponents at a location which is below the open top of the receivingzone, (B) preparing each of the opposite ends of such a beam's centralweb (a) to be vertically clear so as to permit downward insertion of theweb end into a receiving zone of the character mentioned and through theopen top of that zone, and (b) to possess a downwardly facing hookdesigned to catch and seat downwardly by gravity against a spanningdevice of the type mentioned, (C) vertically lowering a prepared-web-endbeam to cause its prepared web ends to be inserted into the receivingzones associated with the established anchoring points associated withthe two spaced building-frame elements, with the hooks in the preparedweb ends catching and becoming seated on the spanning devices associatedwith such anchor points, and without requiring any appreciableincreasing of the pre-lowering lateral spacing between thebuilding-frame elements, and (D) by such vertically lowering, (a)causing the lowered beam to become attached and interconnected bygravity to the spaced building-frame elements, and (b) creating acondition of gravity-stabilized, correctly spatially organized interlockof the lowered beam and the interconnected, spaced building-frameelements.

1. A method of installing an elongate beam between a pair of nominallyin-place, previously installed building-frame elements which, beforesuch beam installing, are spaced apart by a substantially correctlateral distance, and where the beam includes a generally planar,upright central web, said method comprising establishing for each ofsuch two spaced elements a joined anchor point in the form of (a) a pairof spaced, substantially parallel-planar plate components which arespaced apart in a manner creating an upright, generally planar,straight-down vertically accessible, open-topped beam-web receiving zonehaving a lateral width which is suitable for freely receiving thethickness of such a beam's central web, and (b) a spanning deviceextending between such plate components at a location which is below theopen top of the receiving zone, preparing each of the opposite ends ofsuch a beam's central web (a) to be vertically clear so as to permitdownward insertion of the web end into a receiving zone of the charactermentioned and through the open top of that zone, and (b) to possess adownwardly facing hook designed to catch and seat downwardly by gravityagainst a spanning device of the type mentioned, vertically lowering aprepared-web-end beam to cause its prepared web ends to be inserted intothe receiving zones associated with the established anchoring pointsassociated with the two spaced building-frame elements, with the hooksin the prepared web ends catching and becoming seated on the spanningdevices associated with such anchor points, and without requiring anyappreciable increasing of the pre-lowering lateral spacing between thebuilding-frame elements, and by said vertically lowering, (a) causingthe lowered beam to become attached and interconnected by gravity to thespaced building-frame elements, and (b) creating a condition ofgravity-stabilized, correctly spatially organized interlock of thelowered beam and the interconnected, spaced building-frame elements.